Meall Garbh

The walk up Meall Garbh takes you 900 metres above the Stirling landscape, and on a clear day it's genuinely worth the effort. You get sweeping views across the Lowlands from this Ben Lawers companion peak - the kind of vista that makes you understand why people get obsessed with bagging Munros.

The approach from Crianlarich is straightforward enough. Most people tackle it as part of the wider Ben Lawers circuit, but you can do Meall Garbh as a standalone if you're short on time. Allow three to four hours for a round trip. It's proper hill walking rather than a gentle ramble - the path can be boggy lower down, and the climb at the end is unforgiving. Not one for very young kids unless they're seasoned walkers already.

The summit itself is a bit of an anticlimax terrain-wise, honestly. Just grass and stones, nothing dramatic. But the views southward towards the Ochils and westward to the higher peaks make up for it. On a grey day you'll see nothing much and regret the slog.

If you're staying at Tyndrum Holiday Park nearby, this works nicely as a half-day adventure. Pack proper boots and weather gear - the Scottish Lowlands can turn nasty quickly, even when it looks fine in the car park. Go early to beat other walkers and catch the light right. Free to access, obviously. Real hillwalkers will love it. Fair-weather tourists might find it a bit much.